Dr. Olufolakemi Cole-Adeife, a consultant dermatologist, has vehemently condemned the practice of lightening or toning children’s skin, asserting that it constitutes a form of child abuse with the potential to inflict internal organ damage. According to Cole-Adeife, a member of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists in Lagos, this revelation emerged during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.
In her view, all skin tones inherently possess beauty and should remain unaltered. Cole-Adeife asserted, “An infant’s skin colour will certainly change as he or she grows… This is very normal.” She emphasised that genetics play a significant role in determining an infant’s skin tone, particularly if one or both parents have darker skin tones.
Expressing concern over a prevalent trend, Cole-Adeife chastised parents, particularly mothers, who incorporate creams containing mercury or steroids into their children’s skincare routines to achieve a lighter skin tone. She appealed to mothers, stating, “Mothers, please do not push your insecurity about your skin onto your babies or children.”
Drawing attention to the risks, the dermatologist cautioned against the use of such creams, emphasising their potential for long-term harm. “We are seeing a lot of children now being bleached by their moms using skin-lightening products that are damaging their skin. You need to stop this, it is a form of child abuse and should be a crime,” she asserted.
Cole-Adeife further highlighted the distinct vulnerability of children’s skin, which is thinner and more absorbent than adult skin. She implored mothers to opt for plain skincare products and refrain from seeking skin lightening for their children. “Some of these dangerous creams contain steroids and mercury, which can be absorbed into the body through the skin and cause internal organ damage and dysfunction, like brain and kidney impairment and hormonal disruptions,” she cautioned.
Urging regulatory intervention, Cole-Adeife called upon the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to take a more assertive role in overseeing children’s skincare products. She advocated for the prohibition of skin-lightening creams designed for children, saying, “Skin-lightening creams for children should be banned or prohibited in the country.”
